





" /5<^Cr 

4? n* *yJ 



A** 



W : ,#** : lliir : * v ^ v 

•j^SX^va ^ 













A 



^> 









%: ^% -%ws /\ --UK" <?\ °mv. : <?\ 



^°- 



r0^ 









:. V .<** *yS§fef. +*. ** *V 
















^ o. 



* 



C 3 2 V 

//3 



FLAG & ADVERTISER— EXTRA. 



=. ; 



ARREST OF AARON BUREJll/ 

IN ALABAMA, IN 1807. 



BY ALBERT J. PICKETT, 






OF MONTGOMERY. 




/ 



We conclude in this day's paper the in- | Boloxi, and afterwards Mobile and Dai* 
te'resting narrative of Aaron Burr who was ! n i,j n > s Xslancl in 1701. The dark period of 

an hundred and sixty-one years from the 
days o! De .Soto till 1701, when the French 
settled Alabama, will be passed over 
in silence, because the author has been 
unable to find any book, or manuscript, 
which announces the fact that a solitary 
white man ever saw Alabama, proper, du- 
ring that period. But the coast of Florida 
during that time was often visited and settled, 
temporarily, by the Spanish and French. 

Resuming the history of Alabama at the 
period of 1701, the author will detail inter- 
esting facts from abundant material from* 
that period until 1703. In this period ot"? : 
sixty-two years, the French are found to 
be the owners and occu ners of Alabama ; 



arrested in Alabama in 1307. We request 
our colenlporarie.s to republish it, as 
desired by the author, and as a document 
which will afford their readers much enter- 
tainment and historical information. 

We understand that Col. Pickett finished 
the collection of the materia! for the History 
of Alabama in June last, and during the 
summer compiled, from an Immense mass 
g_£ information, collected by him, about three 
hundred pages of his History. He expects 
to complete the work in six months ready 
for the press. 

The. History] will commence with the 
narrative of De Soto's expedition through 
Alabama in the summer and fall of loiO. 
Two original journals of this romantic and 
jihe'qifaled march have been procured : 
one from Paris, published in 1731 by 
firarseilasso de La Veya, who wrote from 
notes male by three Spanish cavaliers, who 
were with De Soto ; the other was written 
by a '-Portugese Eye- Witness," who was 
also with De Solo. This book was pur. 
chased in London, and was translated into old 
Enodish and republished in 1912. Histori- 
j.ns rely more upon the hitter than the for- 
her, bul Col. Pickett, upon careful piaraiii: 
ttiou of the two journals, has found, vye 
fcderstand, but little difference in their most 
naterial statements. 

After completing the expedition of De 
Soto, the author will then conduct his re::- 



having forts and trading establishments at 
DalSjihine Island, Mobile, St. Stephens, 
Fort Tombeckbe, (now Jones' Bluff on the 
Tombigby river) at Fort Toulouse situate 
six miles above ihe'confiuence of the Coosa 
and Tallapoosa, now known as old Fort 
Jackson. and at For! Tensa where Stockton 
iow is. 1 i a truly interesting pe- 

riod of cm- history, the author has obtained, 
at groat trouble a:;.] ex pen i . -five 

: ies of Louisiana* inciudi 
va'uahlivnviiuiseripts. Alabama was then 
a par! »f Louisiana. "■ In so boo] ■ 
written by inti . . men from 

ly in the 

- ..! were pi tr the 



, • i • .i if . r author in ^■'■■- is, Madrid 

ersto the next period in the History „ , 

Alabama, commencing in 1698, when In ' 



trench Colony, under Iberville, settled bama will 



All hor forts v\ ere 



J( 



(fed in our territory and her troops with- 
drawn From them. The conquerors, the 
English, took possession of Mobile and 
South Alabama in 1763, and held dominion 
over until the 14th March, 1780, when Don 
Galves took the territory from them for the 
King of Spain. Col. Pickett has some inter- 
esting books, procured in London, upon the 
English portion of the History of Alabama 
—a period of seventeen years. The author, 
after proceeding with his readers through 
the English times, will commence with the 
Spanish period of thirty-three years from 
1780 to 1813, when Wilkinson took Mobile 
from the Spaniards and hoisted the flag of 
the United States. Upon the Spanish peri- 
od of thirty-three years, the author has ob- 
tained from various parts of Europe many 
old, rare and valuable works upon the Flori 
das, within which Alabama was then em*- 

braced. 

The History of Alabama will continue on 

from 1813 to the end of Gov. Bibb's admin- 
stration in 1S20, embracing a most thrilling 
and interesting period of seven years. The 
author has procured by arduous labor, much 
travel and correspondence, an immense mass 
of facts taken down in the form of notes from 
the lips of living witnesses. It will be, 
decidedly, we are informed, the most inter- 
esting portion of the work. 

Upon the Indians of Alabama the author 

will be very full. He will be able to give a 

iete history of the Creeks. Choctaws, 

Chickasaws and Cherokees for two hundred 

years back, having also procured many 

works written by old Indian traders and 

travelers upon their manners and customs. 

The Political and Civil History of Alabama 

from 1820 to the present period will not be 

written by Col. Pickett for the present, and 

perhaps never, although he has all the 

cssary materials. The History will 

ontain about five hundred pages in one 

olutue, illustrated with engravings and 

iuap3. — Flag & Advertiser. 



A Chapter intended for thd History of Ala- 
bama, now in a state of preparation for 
the press by Albert J. Pickett, of Mont- 
gomery. 

Aaron Burr, his early life, his military achieve' 
ments, his political aspirations and disappoint- 
menls, his duel with Hamilton, his operations in 
the Western country in 1805-'6, the true par* 
ticulars of his arrest in the wilderness of Ala- 
bama, in February 1807, and lis journey to 
Richmond on horseback surrounded by a guard. 

Col. Aaron Burr was born in Newark, State 
of New Jersey in February, 17S6. He was de- 
scended of nob'.e German ancestry on the pater- 
nal side. His Father, the Rev. Aaron Burr, 
was educated at Yale College. When Gov.| 
Belcher established the College of Princeton,; 
that gentleman received the appointment of 
President and immediately found himseli'at the 
head of seventy Students. In the month of 
August 1757 he died, remembered for his learn-i 
ingreloquence and pwty. His Mother was thel 
daughter of the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, of 
Northampton, a man of the highest respectabili 
ty and likewise the President of a College.- 
She, too, soon followered her husband to the 
"rave. Thus was the boy Aaron, at the help- 
fess age of three years without Father or Moth- 
er. He had a sister, hut she was younger and 
more helplessthan himself. But they were not 
dependent upon the cold charities of this world. 
Blest with property and near relations, thej 
each lived to fill in their respectable spheres, a 
destiny high and honorable. 

In 1769 young Burr entered Princeton Col 
lege and graduated with honors at the age o 
sixteen. Having at this period received soith 
religious impressions, he wasfrequently advisee 
to studv divinity. In the Autumn ot 1773 hi 
visited "Joseph 'Bellamy, D. D., who receive( 
him with affection and threw open to him ai 
extensive Theological Library. Here Bur 
read for some time with great scrutiny and ap 
plication. But he abandoned the persuit an. 
become an inmate of the family of Judge Tap 
pan Reeve, who had married his sister. A 
this time the topic of taxation and the rights c 
the American people agitated the then Britis 
Colonies from one extreme to the other. Youn 
Burr examined the whole subject thoroughl 
and became a whig. In July 1775, he repaire 
to Cambridge and became a soldier in tieienc 
of American liberty at the age of twentj 
While in camp and on a bed of sickness he ove 
heard a conversation relative to the expeditio 
to Quebec about to be entrusted to Arnold.- 
Immediately impressed with the perils an 
boldness of the enterprise, so suitable to a gal 
lant disposition like his, Burr, contrary to th 
urgent solicitations of his guardian, threw hi 



knapsack on his back, shouldered his musket 
and marched for the place of embarkation. The 
expedition to Quebec was perhaps the most fa- 
tigueingand hazardous one eveunade by troops, 
and the suffering from wet, cold and hunger, is 
indiscribable. Vet the stripling Burr marched 
cheerfully through the forests and over moun- 
tain cliffs. When Arnold reached Chaudre- 
Potid, Burr was selected to convey to General 
Montgomery a verbal message, which difficult 
task he performed by disguising himself in the 
dress of a Catholic Priest. Conversing fluent- 
ly in Latin and French, the romantic youth 
went from one religious Convent to another un- 
suspected, until he arrived in the lines of Gen. 
Montgomery, to whom he delivered the message 
of Arnold, acquainting him with that officer's 
approach and future plans. The youth who 
possessed the address (o accomplish such a feat 
as this, was bom for a high and brilliant desti- 
ny ! Struck with the wonderful and ingenious 
resources of tlse young man, Gen. Montgomery 
at once made him his aid, with the rank of 
Captain, and in the celebrated battle in which 
that hero lost has life, Burr commanded one of 
the wings of the army. Before daylight on the 
31st December. 1775, the American attack was 
made upon Qubec, amidst a heavy Winter 
storm. The American troo|>s, benumbed with 
cold and blinded with snow flakes, fell by hun- 
dreds before the British artillery, discolouring 
the snow-carpeted earth with the bravest blood! 
Capt. Burr was every where in the thickest ol 
the dreadful carnage, and being the only sur- 
viving officer near, leceived into his arms the 
lifeless body of Gen. Montgomery. 

On the 20th May, 177-6, Major Burr was invi- 
ted by General Washington to join his military 
family at Richmond Hill until he should receive 
a satisfactory appointment. Here shortly af- 
terwards he was appointed aid to Major Gener- 
al Putnam, then stationed at New York. When 
the British force 2€.,OG0strong,attacked Brooklyn 
Heights on the 27th August, 1776, Major Burr 
was actively engaged both night and day per- 
forming the most efficient services and display- 
ing the most daring intrepidity. As long as he 
was attached to the s'aif of Putnam, he enjoyed 
that brave old man's confidence and esteem. — 
A new army was formed in the Spring of 1777, 
when Burr became a Lieutenant Colonel in the 
regiment of Col. Malcolm, a respect/hie Mer- 
chant, but unfitted for military life. This regi- 
ment was stationed at Ramapo, in the county of 
Orange, State of New York. The extreme 
youthful appearance of Burr, at first inspired 
his commanding officer with great doubts of his 
ability and experience to discharge the duties of 
his post. But his astonishing energy of charac- 
ter and fine military talents soon made such an 
impression upon the mind of Malcolm, as to in- 
duce him to esnfide to Burr the sole command. 
Retiring twenty miles distant with liis family 



Col. Malcolm remarked, "You, Col. Burr, shall 
have the honor of training and fighting the re- 
giment, while I will be its Father." lie kept his 
word, for in the frequent engagements after- 
wards, Burr had the sole direction of the troops. 
His surprises, his attacks, and retreats re; 
bled those of the parti/.nn officers of the South, 
lie was the Marion of the North. Nearllack- 
ensack Burr surprised and captured a strong 
British guard, and was fast assembling a epi 
erable force to attack the main army of 2000 
strong when the enemy made a rapid retreat. 
Whilehanging upon their rear and marking their 
track with blood, young Burr was not out of 
his saddle for two day's and nights. Constant- 
ly engaged for two years in harassing the Bri- 
tish, Col. Burr did not engage in any combined 
attack until the battle of Monmouth where his 
Brigade, composed of his own regiment, and 
some Germans, fought with the most obstinate, 
determined, and gallant bearing. It is not with- 
in our province to enumerate the brilliant mili- 
tary achievements of Col. Burr which would fill 
a volume. We forbear, by remarking that ill 
health, exhaustion from long exposure and ardu 
ous service, compelled him on the 10th March, 
1779, to resign his post in the army. In the lan- 
guage of his Biographer, "He seemed as tin 
he was born a soldier. He was ambilioi 
fame in his profession. He had acquired a 
character for vigilance and intrepidity, unrivaled 
in the army. He was more than respected by 
his brother officers and idolized bv the troops." 

On the 17th April, 1782, Col. "Burr obtained 
licence to practice law, and at the age of twenty 
six he settled in Albany, to attend to his profes- 
sion, and on the 2nd of July following was mar- 
ried to Mrs. Theodosia Provost, the splendid 
widow of a British officer. The Autumn of 
1783, found him removed to the city of New 
York, where he immediately rose to the head of 
hi* profession. Col. Burr was several years a 
member of the New York Legislature, and on 
the 25th September 1789, Gov. Clinton conferred 
upon him the appointment of Attorney General. 

Congress convened at Philadelphia in the lall 
of 1791, when Col. Burr took his seat in tl e 
Senate of the United States, from the State of 
New York, at the age of thirty-five. How ra- 
pidly did his great mind hurry him on to promo- 
tion and fame! On the 2nd October, 1792, the 
office of judge of the Supreme Court was ten- 
dered him by Gov. Clinton, which he thought 
proper to decline. He was a member of tin 
Senate from the 4th March, 1791, to the 
March, 1797. During ail Ibis period hen; 
ded closely to his profession and ranked high a t 
the bar with Hamilton, Harrison and Li 
ston. Indeed he was regarded by many as a 
man of superior legal acijrnen to any bffon 
tribunals of the country of that day. His 
speeches at the bar wire remailwlu for con- 
densation, clearness., great pith and roil t. 1 is 



manner was calm and persuasive. In April, 
1798, Col. Burr was elected a member of the 
New York Legislature by the Demrcrat'c par- 
ty. In 1800 lie was placed on the saitietickel 
with Jefferson, ibr President and Vice President.: 
As the -constitution was originally adopted, the 
person who had the greatest number of Votes, 
provided they were a majority of the whole 
number given, was declared President, and the 
person having the next highest number, with 
the like provison, was depmed to be the Vice 
President. The termination of the election es- 
tablished the remarkable fact that Mr. Jefferson 
and Col. Burr had an equal number of votes: 
Burr obtained 73, Jefferson 73, John Adams 
65, C. C. Piuckney G4. It devolved upon the 
House to choose between them, and now ensued 
one of the most exciting and bitter contests 
known to this Republic. The House resolved 
to attend to no other business until the election 
was decided. The balloting commenced on the 
11th of February, 1801, and continued until the 
17th. There were thirty six ballotings! Dur- 
ing the seven days the presence of everv mem- 
ber was indispensable. The sick were accom- 
modated with beds and conches, and one mem- 
ber was even attended by his wife. Mr. John 
Adams was at that time the President and 
Thomas Jefferson- Vice President, and were 
both about the scene of action. Col. Burr dur- 
ing the balloting remained in New York, con- 
ducting himself in a dignified manner. The 
subsequent attacks upon Col. Burr for intrigue 
and corruption during these seven days, came 
with a bad grace from some ot his assailants 
who were themselves engaged in intrigue. — 
The contest finally resulted in the elevation of 
Mr. Jefferson to the highest seat hi the git't ol 
the country, Coh Burr became the presiding 
officer of the Senate, as the Vice President of 
the United States. He was cue oftb* ablest 
and most dignified Vice Pres-i'dem* that ever ap- 
pear* d in die Ame'iican Ci ion'. 

Col. Burr was nomii ; ti (3 fi r Goverhof of the 
State ci New York in February, 1-8W4. Among 
his most unfriendly and formidable assailants, 
was found to be-Gen. Alexander Hamilton; a 
distinguished jurist, a gallant offi'eei. a pure pa- 
triot, and the bosom friend and companion oJ 
Washington. I ie took an active, in fact a bitter 
part against Burr. On several occasions he 
employed language in reference -to -Cot. Burr, 
which-that gentleman de*enaed highly injurious 
to hischaracter as a gentleman arid a i rati smaii. 
Col. Burr demanded a retractioil of the- off eh- 
five epithets, a in after variaws communicat . 
hrd j a si i d bi U\ i i n tin parties. Hamilton re- 
fused tor. rede. Biiri h tn'i rtal 
.combat, and on the 31th Juiy, 180 i. " VVi - 
hawk, on the Jersey sh.- n . tin y exchanged 
i',r< s, when II iniijtoM fi II and the next day died. 
•" All party dis-lir.btii n w as fi ■ I in the ; 
i-eiitiment < xi.r- ; .-eu fl/r the. illustrious d( d. ' 



It was at once a fatal blow to all of Col. Burr*fi 
future ambitious views. Hamilton Was a me "t 
man. His, standing was most pxalted. Hu 
was dean'. He was killed. HiVpulngv was 
pronounced in everv city to weepingthi u^ands. 
Burr althn eminent every way. could not stand 
the torrent ofpublic opinion. It swept him into 
temporary exile. Upon the sea coasts el Coor? 
gia and South Carolina, he wandered about in 
the Summer ol 1804 among hospitable friends, 
to qui"l public sentiment and to evad.e prose- 
cutions. Had be have killed a man less la- 
mented, his persecutions would not have sub- 
jected him to such an ordeal. 

When Congress convened in the Fall, Col. 
Burr left his hospitable souther" friends, repair? 
ed to Washington and presided over the Seri- 
ate. The last public duty of importance per- 
formed by this distinguished but unfortunate 
man, was to preside in the case of .Tud^e Sam- 
uel Chase] who was impeached before the Sen- 
ate, for high crimes and misdemeanors. The 
trial commenced on the 4th of February 1805, 
and ended the 1st March. Col. Burr acquitted 
himself on this occasion in a manner commen- 
surate with the force, address, the great digni- 
ty and the lofty mind with which his Crd had 
so eminently endowed him. Opponents as 
well as friends admired his energy, dlgnhv and 
impartiality, qualities which won for him their 
profoundest respect. Judge Chase was ac- 
quitted. 

When the lion is driven from field to field, 
and worried by combinations .61 men and arms, 
engaged in frequent hunts against him. he at 
length retreats to denser and mere distant 
forests. So did Aaron Burr; but also like the 
king 61 beasts, he appeared in the Yv'estrru 
wilds, still a lion, driven; but not «vi 
bearing himself aloft with dignity and great- 
ness, his head full of new schemes, of a bold 
and brilliant character. In 1805, Col. Liurr 
was actively engaged in traveling in Tens: ssee 
and Kentucky. He was or n a I • house of 
Gen. Jackson, whom he described as "'a man 
of intelligence" — "a promp't, frank and ardent 
soul." From January tYritli August of the lb|- 
lowing year, his hours were spent in the elites 
of Washington and Philadelphia. His mighfy 
mind was constantly employed in endeavors to 
elevate himself above his fallen state. He 
deemed tins period a favorable one for that pur- 
pose. For a long time the difficulties' had been 
great in rela'ion to the right of navigating 
the Mississippi river, between the Spanish pes- 
;ions and the Western people. For years 
the Americans upon the Cumberland and 
Ohio had been anxious to expel the Spaniards 
from till dominion over the Western waters-.— 
In addition to this, Col. Burr had all his [Jib 
!n en an ambitions man and a bold speculator, 
tVeouently i mbarking in the purchase of large 
tracts of land, while his imagination was haunt- 



;1 (!:):••/.:. il i:i i ' t m'e 

, li, • re f ion i I 

. ; lef*, :':-• S| 
- ' ■ : !i ;",,!; !'• ITO'p 1. -''".- 

tlii ! , nd for 

urn i v. i; ,.,i bi i n conveyed to a 

L\ uch. As t!i lime v ithin which two 

In il ,'•;;. i : ; s were to be colpnizi (i u;» n 

. was fast drawing to a cl ;■:•. F.yiiuri 

cvi J ' .001), Oii •' hnlf pf h'ifi interest 

<'"!. Burr. Burr's pmvh ;se lay between the 

-. and il.; advanci <3 

•"•'• in cash, n.< was afterwards proved upon 

trial at Richmond! Besides the coin u'z: - 

i of this tract, the great object of Burr was 

of M.e'xico. lie had for years 

i f if. Ills ii mgli.ter, Theodosia, at an 

ly pi iii il. rfa'd h'eeti In'i tructed in riding, 

and the sword, exercise and taught 

of war, of Ri publics and Monr 

i,.l was often told by him that she 

IbeQueen of Mexico! He. was at 

1 (]30(!,) impressed with the idta, 

Iterah ..that a war would ensue 

••'< n Spain and the' ' Stater, and that 

united States' forces, under Geu. Wilkih- 

tfmo anting to about six hundred men, 

!il he a nucleus, araflnd which the troops 

•ii he intended to raise hirnspli would form, 

lOgeYher constitute an army of invasion 

i. st the SparuVh possessions in North Am- 

•n. James Wilkinson has bei h accused by 

"s fre lids u ilh I i d in these 

nil. •.-■■. ami of hai ing.pl inself to as- 

Btirr with the Ui i ps. It is 

to the memory 6f Wilkinson to sa\ that 

ways i!< tiied these charges. But the wri- 

f this narrative is impressed with the In - 

derived Iro.m a minute examination of va- 

- authorities and pub'ic documents, that 

. Witkii -i-n. like many other distinguished 

in the Western country, did at first enter 

the sctii ii:i- i i An n Burr, but for Some 

on abandon' d him When Burr became an 

suspicion to.' the Government. But 

| Ibis' as it,m/<)\ Aaron Burr only intended 

m of his Bastrop claim and the 

rjuest oi' Mexico, and tho.se concerned with 

were only guilty' oi attempts to take pos- 

oti Of a cblony of Spain, a power scarcely 

consid t d at peace vv'ith the United States. 

an does riOt usually main.' false statements 

i his deatfi-b d, w.hi n he has no motive to 

ct). Aaron Burr di< d afti r a long life full of 

v t. He left bat little character and no de- 

pidants to be affected by it. In his last hours, 

e as asked by Dr. Hosack, an eminent and 

oirab'e Physician, if he had ever, at any 

n, contemplate a dissolution of the Union. 

]\- indignantly replied: "No, I would as 

ni, have thought of taking possession, of the 

il i ant! dividing it out among my friends." 



Aitho* Louisiana iva? now (1701 
the ! tes, ilic W ' in : 

ci asi -!•;!• 

\\ :■ Mil desirous to 1 I upon them 

fa I their nine, .•■■:■■,■: |]|'dt) \Vi 

coi imi rce. Tin S| mi .' v re still in T 
and upon the waf oi the Mo- 

bile. As Burr h I . n e 

a mined man in the A [antic i 
never there hope to rise t. to favor, if 

was natural that ho i hou - 
prejudices of men in II V" ;. and to avail 
himself of their discontent. ! le. doul 
to m my pi rso is hi Id out different \ ievi . i 
b i suiti d his designs and their own feel i i . 
It is perfecily natural that a man of his ingi un- 
ity should avail himtelf of all expedients to 
raise arms, mom y ai d men sufficient to c u- 
duet a magnificent conquest; the last hope 
left to gratify an inordinate ambition when 
the same scheme made him restless and fe- 
verish even in his days ol lienor and pros- 
perity. A f'pirit like his could not be sub- 
dued by misfortunes or the common hatred 



Of mankind. 



(Success was ever u] pernios! m 



his mind. He knew that a failure would re- 
dound to his eternal disgrace. Hence every 
effort was made to enlist in the cause ihe w saltri- 
iest and inert daring spirits of the West : and 
he did pngra&e many such who aferwards 
abandoned him. It cannot be believed at this 
day that Aaron Burr would have attempted the 
-'.; edition he did. no matter v. hi th'er it was to 
invade Mexico, break until- Spanish posses- 
sions upon the Mobile river, Tpxas arid the 
Ploridas; or to dismember the Union and foim 
a separate cofifi di racy, without abundant as- 
surances of support from many wealthy and 
influential persons in the West. 

Aaron Burr, unfortunately for himself, lived 
at too early a period. The enterprise failed by 
i:m premature alarm of his associates, and he 
was forever a doomed man in public estima- 
tion. In 183fi, the citizens of this very West- 
ern country poured in hundreds Open the 
plains of Texas, ami took a large portion of 
this Mexican territory. The altii s of Texas 
were citizens of the United States. They 
marched through Mobile and NewOrleans arm- 
ed and equipped, and were not arrested by the 
civil authorities of this Government. Was it 
thus with Col. Burr? Twice was he arrested 
and arraigned before the tribunals of Kentucky 
upon suspicion, and after that, when pursuing 
his way down the Missisippi, had hi.- boats and 
men captured and he again held a prison, r. 

Col. Burr has been treated by posterity With 
much injustice. His memory is still the 'theme 
Of reproach. Early impressions are hard to 
eradicate. The beautiful spi eeh of William 
Wirt, intended for the ears of the Jury alone, 
has been published, circulated extensively, in- 
corporated, in School Books, and memorised by 



6 



American youth. Tt was unfortunate for P<urr 
thai the speech ever was published, and do 
doubt Wirt often regretted thai one < f his legal 
efforts should hare so indelibly impressed the 
rising generation with prejudices so unfavora- 
ble and so unjust rowaids that unfortunate 
man. In his behalf, we do now appeal to the 
youth of America, and particularly those of 
Alabama, tor whom we are collecting historical 
iacts, to discard from their minds the prejudi- 
cial effects of that speech. Young Alabamians, 
when you read that speech, rpmpmber at the 
same time Col. Burr's brilliant military and civ- 
il services which we have imperfectly enume- 
rated. Reflect that lie was ever, even under 
the most desperate circumstances, the man of 
lofty dignity and noble hearing. Altho' often 
assaPed by others and hunted down like a wild 
beast, ho persecuted not in return, and spoke 
evil of no one. Reflect also, that he was a 
most affectionate father, and to those in distress 
liberal in the extreme. Remember that Aaron 
Burr had his faults like other men, and altho' 
the one in repaid to finales was despicable 
and highly to be condemned, yet his memory 
should be treated with respect for the impor- 
tant services which he his rendered that coun- 
try, within whose bosom it is your high privi- 
lege to live. And when you read of the des- 
truction of the paradise at Blanntrhassett Is- 
land, remember that Blannerhassett was the 
cause of his own ruin. lie sought Burr — he 
was anxious toe. gage in his schemes — he was 
an extravagant, impulsive man, who was 
forced to rly from Ireand with his property for 
his attempts ai Revolution. Burr did not enter 
the "terrestial paradise" as a "serpent," but as 
a man of bold and brilliant schemes, into which 
Blannerhassett most eagerly and willingly en- 
listed. 

The people of Kentucky became much exci- 
ted in consequence of the designs of Burr. In 
November, 1806, J. II. Daviess the District At- 
torney having arrested him, failed before the 
Court in. his attempt to fix treasonable inten- 
tions upon him. Being discharged at Lexing- 
ton, Col. Burr proceeded to Nashville, where lie 
received the warm congratulations of many 
friends. The most active preparations for the 
expedition were now made and boats for low 
water were constructed at various places on 
the Cumberland. Gen. John Adair, ofKentuc- 
kv,one of the most active associates, repaired 
te" Natchez and New Orleans, in company with 
others to arrange matters for the subsequent ar- 
rival of Col. Burr and his army. About this 
period hundreds of emigrants, traders and ad- 
venturers had come from the Ohio, singly and 
without order, dispersed in every town and set- 
tlement awaiting the approach of Col. Burr 
whose standard they intended to join. But for 
some cause he did not leave the Cumberland 
river, until the 22ud December, 1806, and the 



Proclamation ofPresident Jefferson had alrea- 
dy reached the Mississippi Territory. The 
Governor of Louisiana issued a Proclamation 
on the 15lh December, requiring all officers, ci- 
vil and military in that region to resort to active 
measuresin suppressing" the treasonable move- 
ments on the part of Burr," and to bring the of- 
fenders to justice. Cowles Mead, the acting 
Governor of the Mississippi Territory, issued a 
similar Proclamation on the 23d, both docu- 
ments based upon the instructions from the 
Seat of Government. Great preparations were 
made to arrest Burr. Government officers 
were every whore in motion. The military 
force on the lowr Mississippi had already been 
distributed to protect New Orleans. Gen. Wil- 
kinson united with the Spanish General at 
Natchatoches, to defeat the expedition against 
Mexico. 

Gov. Mead ordered the four regiments of the 
Western counties of the Mississippi Territory 
to assemble for organization by the 20th Janua- 
ry. In consequence of a dispatch from Wash- 
ington City, which reached Natchez on the 10th, 
Governor" Mead ordered a guard of sixty men 
to be stationed upon the bank of the river, to 
board and examine all boats, decending. He- 
then prorogued the general assembly till the 
19th to avert as he said "the approaching storm 
which presaged an explosion dangerous to do- 
mestic safety, and insulting to national dignity." 
While all these things were occurring, Col. Burr 
was decending the Mississippi in a quiet man- 
ner with bots, provisions, and sixty men. — 
When he reached the mouth of Bayou Pierre, 
Col. Ferdinand H. Claiborne embarked at 
Natchez, two hundred and seventy five men 
upon the broad Mississippi, under dark and 
lowering clouds, destined to Coles creek, twen- 
ty five miles distant. Here he was joined by a 
troopof Cavalry from Jefferson county. Shields 
and Poindexter, the aids of the Governor, were 
now dispatchrd with a message to Col. Burr, 
acquainting him with the forces assembled to 
defeat his operations from hereto New Orleans, 
and inviting him to surrender. Col. Burr in an 
armistice agreed to meet the Governor at the 
house of Thomas Calvit, near Claiborne's en- 
campment, and the next day he dropped down 
the river and visited the Governor in company 
with his friend Col. Fitzpatrick, of Jefferson 
county. Burr capitulated by surrendering him- 
self, thirteen boats and sixty men at discretion. 
The cavalry troops received in charge the 
boats and men, while Col. Burr proceeded with 
the Governor to Washington, then the Capitol 
of the Mississippi Territory, six miles East of 
Natchez. Aaron Burr was now a prisoner ol 
the United States. Abandoned by Wilkinson 
and others and opposed at every turn, he was 
compelled to bow to the decree of fate. At the 
Superior Court, Col. Burr appeared before 
Judge Rodney with Lyman Harding, Esq., and 



Col. Benjamin Osimm a« his securities, and 

was bailed in the sum of$10,000 to appear at a 
Court to be held on the 3rd of February. His 
men were liberated at Natchez upon parole. 

Col. Burr had the sympathies and warm 
friendship of many of the wealthiest and most 
respec'able citizens of Adams county. In the 
surrounding neighborhood of Natchez and 
Washington he spent his time most delightfully, 
being caressed by all and honored with balls 
and panies. He did not fail to make friends 
everywhere, for who could resist his facinating 
manner. On all occasions he denounced the 
charges that he had contemplated any' thing 
hostile to the perpetuity and best interests of this 
Union. When Court convened, Col. Burr was 
attended by his council William B. Shields and 
Lyman Harding, Esquires. There was great 
excitement upon the occasion, and the people 
were generally in his favour. The Attorney 
Generai was George Poindexter, then a young 
man, but who has since occupied a large share 
in the political history of Mississippi and Ala- 
bama, ylfter the Judge had finished a compre- 
hensive charge to the Grand Jury expressly 
empannelled to investigate the charges against 
the prisoner— Mr. Poindexter moved their dis- 
charge, because he had been unable to find any I 
testimony which brought the offences of Burr | 
within the jurisdiction of the Courts of Missis- 
sippi. He requested that Col. Burr should im- 
mediately be sent to a tribunal competent to sit j 
npon his case. Col. Burr objected to the dis- 
charge of the Grand Jury and remarked that he 
had a use for their services, altho' the Attorney 
General had none. Judge Rodney concurred with 
Poindexter, while Judge Bruin dissented and 
refused to discharge the jury unless Col. Burr 
was released from his recognizance. The next 
day the excitement was still greater and Col. 
Burr demanded a release from his bond, which 
the Court peremtorily refused. On Thursday 
the Cth of February Col. Burr did not make his 
appearance and it was soon ascertained that he 
had escaped. Governor Williams arriving that 
evening from his native State, North Carolina, 
offered a reward of $2000 for his apprenension 
and delivery either to him at Washington, Mis- 
sissippi, or to the federal authorities of the U. 
States. A troop of cavalry dispatched to Clai- 
borne county in pursuit of Burr returned with- 
out finding "him, and his destination was un- 
known. 

The Court House of Washington county in 
the present State of Alabama, then known as a 
part of the Mississippi Territory, was in a 
small village called Wakefield, a few miles West 
of the Tombigby river. Here, late at night, in 
the month of February, 1807, Col. Nicholas Per- 
kins, a Lawyer, and Thos. Malone, Clerk of the 
Court, were at a game of backgammon, beside 
their cabin fire. Presently the distant sound of 
horses' feet attracted their attention. The game 



sudd, hly stopped and r* wondi red 

who w't re the ridi i nl • u> li iir of 

tfie night. The little cabin stood iinmediati ly 
on ll highway and two travellers rode near the 
door, who enquired if the village contained a 
tavern; answered in the affirmative, one oi them 
asked if < !ol. Hinson lived in the neighborhood. 
II. ■ was informed that it was seven miles distant 
to his house, (he road obscure and a difficult 
Creek lay in the route. Nothing daunted, the 
rider eagerly sought information as to the forks 
and how to wo^:- the Creek. By this time the 
fire, replenished with light-wood, threw a 
blaze in the face of the traveller nearest the 
door. His countenance was highly interesting. 
tiis ores sparkled like diamonds. lie rode a 
splendid horse with fine saddle and holsters. — 
His dress was that of a very plain countryman, 
but beneath Ids coarse pantaloons protruded a 
pair of fashotrable boots. His Sti iking counte- 
nance, together with the strange mixture of his 
apparel and pquipage produced in the mind of 
Perkins vivid and permanent susj Lions, and a* 
they rode off he remarked to Malone, "That is 
Aaron Burr." "How do you know 7" "I have 
read a discription of him in the proclamations, 
audi am certain 'tis he. He most be appre- 
hended. Let us follow him to Hinson's and 
take measures for his arrest." Malone remon- 
strated upon the folly of such an expedition at 
so late an hour of the night, and declined to ac- 
company htm. The impulsive Perkins now 
waked upTbtodore Brightwell, the Sheriff, then 
asleep in an adjoining house. Both mounting 
their horses, they took the road to Co!. Hinson's. 
The night was bitter cold aud the pine forest 
moaned and moaned again, the most lonesome 
and melancholly sighs ! 

The two strangers reached Col. Hinson's in 
safety about eleven o'clock at night, ar.d hailed 
at the gate. The moon was now up and Mrs. 
Hinson rising from her bed, saw through the 
window their saddle bags and tin cups and 
knew they were travellers. She made no an- 
swer, because her husband was not at home. — 
The strangers went into the kitchen where a 
large fire was still blazing. Perkins and Bright- 
well shortly hove in sight of the dwelling. — 
The former recollecting that the travel- 
lers had seen him at the cabin declined to 
go in the House, but sent Brightwell, whom he 
requested to return to him at a certain place in 
the woods, after he had ascertained whether the 
person was Burr, or not. Mrs. Hinson recogni- 
zing the voice of the Sheriff, who was her rela- 
tion, rose and opened the door, saying how glad 
she was to see him, as two strangers had stop- 
ped at the house and her husband being absent 
she felt alarmed. Brightwell repaired to the 
kitchen, found the mysterious traveller sitting 
by the fire with his head down and a handker- 
chief partly concealing his face. His compan- 
ion had gone to attend to the horses. A hasty 



Kuntvr was prepared hi the' rrfa'in building, 
ivhich was.a JjubiH log h i ur-?t;, and the strangers, 
sat down to it. '1 'he elder gentleman thanked 
the lady in the most courteous terms for her 
kindness and apologised for the trouble they 
imposed on her. His conversation was 
most agreeable, and Mrs. Hinson soon discover- 
ed that the gentl< a; in and his attire did not cor- 
respond. His attention was often directed to 
Brightw.el'l, who stood before the Ike and at 
whom he cast the k enest glances evidently en- 
deavor Fug to read his thoughts. A momentary 
Feparatgon taking place between the strangers 
after supper',- Mrs. Hinson asked the younger 
one, "Do I not sir have honor* of entertaining in 
my house, the celebrat d Col. Burr? " Contu- 
sed and mortified he gave her no satisfactory 
answer, but left the room. This question was 
ted by Brigluweil, who had previously 
c'ommuni afi d his suspicions to her. 

Early in the in truing the mysterious person* 
a: ■■', seeking a .] inl rvis w, disclosed his 

name T : Mrs. IliesMH, regr< tted the absence of 
her husband whom he. had seen at Natchez, 
said he was discovered and woufd prosecute 
lis j inrney, but had intended passing a week 
with Col. Hinson. After enquiring the route to 
Ifensaeola, and M ^Carson's ferry onthnTom- 
bigbyyhe vailed for writing materials and indi- 
ted several Liters. His companion was des- 
patched on the back route for some purpose.— 
He returned about ') o'clock in the morning and 
lite travellers set out for the Cut-ulf not far dis- 
tant. 

Ij"t as now return to Col. Perkins whom we 
left last night in the woods, highly excited and 
shivering in the cold. Why did not Brightwell 
keep his promise ? No one knows — it is a mys- 
tery to '.his day. Perkins remained at his post 
until his patience was exhausted and supposing 
that Brightweli, probably on account the facina- 
tions of Burr, or the pity which had seized him 
iu bis behalf, had betrayed their plans, now 
mounted his horse and rode rapidly to the house 
ot Mr. Joseph Bates, sr., at Nannahubba Bluff, 
to avoid the Creeks in the main route to Fort 
Stoddart. He procured from that gentleman a 
canoe and negro, dropped! down the Tombigby 
and arrived ai Fort Stoddart just after day break. 
The. commandant was Edmund P. Gaines, then 
a young Lieutenant, now a distinguished Major 
General. Col. Perkins briefly acquainted that 
officer with the particulars of his last night's ad- 
venture and of hif; suspicions, which altho' ni 
slight foundation, had nevertheless impressed 
him with solemn convictions of their truth. — 
Placing himself at the head of a file of mounted 
soldiers, the Lieutenant immediately rode off 
with Perkins. On the riseofa hill, South of a 
branch and near a wolf-pen, two miles below 
Col. Hinsons, the Lieutenant suddenly encoun- 
tered the person he was pursuing, riding in com- 
pany with his travelling companion, and th« 



Sheriff Bright '.veil, when the fjj'ipwing conversa- 
tion took place. 

G tines. T prosum? I hare the Inn >r of ad- 
dressing Col. Burr? 

Burr. I am a traveller atari a stranger in 
the laud,- and I do not recognize your right to 
ask such a question. 

Gaines. J arrest you at the instance of the 
United' Slates. 

Burr. By what authority do you arrest me, 
a traveller and stranger in the highway, on my 
own private business.? 

Gaines. I ani an ofncu' of ih" United States 
iri'.iv- I hold in my hand the Proclamation ot 
the Pre.-ident, and the Governor pi' the Missis- 
sippi Territory, directing your arrest. 

Burr. You area young man and may not be 
aware of the responsibility of arresting a- trav- 
eller ? 

Gainer*. I am aware of my responsibility — 
I know my duty. 

Col Burr now i ntered into a brief argument 
to she'w that these proclamations shouid never 
have been issued, a nd that in following their 
dictates the Lieutenant would be subjecting 
hitn-elf to much damage, and blame. His 
manner was'4'irm, his air majestic, and his lan- 
guage impressive; but the firm young officer 
told him his mind was made up — he must ac- 
company him to his quarters where he would 
be treated with all the respect due the ex-Yice 
President of the United Slates, so long as he 
made no attempt to escape. Without further 
remonstrance, Col. Burr became a prisonei, and 
separated from the two gentlemen riding with 
him. The party reached Fort Stoddart in the 
evening, and the prisoner was shewn his apart- 
ment where he took his dinner alone. ■ Late in 
the night, Col. Burr heard a groan in an ad- 
joining room. He rose, opened the door, and 
approached the bed-side of Mr. George S. 
Gaines, who was suffering from sickness. — 
Burr's manner was kind to him, he 
felt his pulse, efferred his services, said he 
had traveled much and knew something of 
medicine. They entered into a sprightly conver- 
sation. Burr asked questions about the coun- 
try and the Choctaw Indians, among whom 
Mr. Gaines lived as United States factor. The 
ne.xt day Burr being introduced to the wife of 
the commandant, a daughter of the late Judge 
tiarrv Toulman, dined wiiii the family, and en- 
livened the whole party with his wit, spr.ightli- 
ne'ss and elegant discourse. In the evening, 
he played chess with Mrs. Gaines, with whom 
he was often a frequent competitor in that in- 
teresting game. Of nights he SQUghj ll a com- 
pany of the invalid, who became exceedingly at- 
tached to Col. Burr. During their mid-night 
conversations, often and often would the gcod 
heart of George S. Gaines grieve over the n - 
fortunes of this great man. During the time 
they were together. Col. Burr never once alltt- 







ded to his arrest, his troubles or his future plans. 
From early youth it had been his custom to 
conceal tilings in relation to himself, and he al- 
ways endeavored to throw an air oi mystery 
over his acts. 

After Col. Burr had been safely conducted 
to Fort Stoddart, the indefatigable Perkins de- 
parted for Wakelie'd, and caused the arrest 
of Burr's traveling companion, who was a Maj. 
Ashly. Justices William H. Hargrave and John 
Caller placed him under a guard, from whom 
he fled in the night, and made his way rapidly 
to Tennessee, where he became engaged in ta- 
king testimony for Burr's trial at Richmond. — 
The distinguished prisoner had been confined 
at the Fort tor three weeks before Lieuten- 
ant Gaines completed his arrangements to 
convey him to Washington city. The dif- 
ficulties were great. There were no roads, 
no carriages, no ferries, and few men could be 
found in the then sparsely settled country who 
would undertake a journey so long and peril- 
ous over savage lands. Finally, Col. Burr left 
the fort under guard, and proceeded in a gov- 
ernment boat up the Alabama river and into 
the Tensaw lake, with Lieutenant Gaines, and 
stopped at the house of Mr. John Mills. Here 
some ladies wept upon seeing the low estate 
to which this great man was reduced, and one 
of them, Mrs. Jack Johnson, named her son 
Aaron Burr. He is still alive, and he was not 
the only boy named Aaron Burr in the Missis- 
sippi Territory. The ladies every where es- 
poused his cause in this South Western new 
world. It is a prominent and noble trait in the 
female character, to admire a man of daring 
and generous impulses, and to pity and defend 
him in his adversities. 

At the boat yard in the present county of 
Baldwin, State of Alabama, the crew disem- 
barked, and here lived William and John 
Pierce, natives of New England, who had sev- 
eral years before established one of the first 
cotton gins in Alabama, and a trading establish- 
ment. Gaines gave the command of the guard 
intended to convey Burr to Washington City, 
to Colonel Nicholas Perkins, a lawyer, late from 
Tennessee. His men were Thomas Malone, 
formerly a clerk in the land office at Raleigh, 
N. C, and then the clerk of Washington coun- 
ty. Alabama. John Henry, of Tennessee, John 
Mills, a native of Alabama, Henry B. Slade of 
North Carolina, and two brothers, M'Cormacks, 
from Kentucky — added to these were two Uni- 
ted States soldiers. They were all men whom 
Perkins selected, and whom he could rely upon 
under all circumstances. He took these men 
aside and obtained from them the most solemn 
pledges, that upon the whole route to Wash- 
ington city, they would not converse with Burr, 
or li t him escape alive. Perkins knew how 
fascinating Burr was and he feared his familiar- 
ity with hia men — indeed, he feared the same 



influence upon himself. Hia character for ma- 
king strong impression upon the human mind 
and attaching men to him by association,'was 
well known to the world. When Col. Burr 
fled from the Natchez settlement, he procured 
a disguised dress and was still attired in it. — 
His pantaloons were of corse, coaperas cloth 
with a roundabout of inierior drab. His hat a 
flaping, wide-brimed beaver, had in times been 
white but now gave evidences of having en- 
countered much rough weather. Placed upon 
his fine horse, he bestrode him most elegantly 
and flashed his large dark eyes as though he 
were at the head of his New York regiment. — 
To use a common expression of the old set- 
tlers who saw him in Alabama, "his eyes were 
peculiar, they looked like stars." Each man 
of the expedition carried provisions for himself 
and some for Col. Burr. They were all well 
mounted, with no arms except pistols in hol- 
sters, and two muskets, borne by the two sol- 
diers. The party set out from the boat yard 
in the latter part of February, 1807. In a 
quarter of a mile of this place the dreadful mas- 
sacre of Fort Mims occurred six years after- 
wards. Pursuing the Indian path which led 
from the "Bigby settlement" to Fort Wilkinson 
on the distant Oconee, the guard traveled the 
first day about 30 miles. At night the only tent 
in company was pitched for the prisoner, who 
reposed himself upon his blankets. The low- 
er part of Monroe county, abounded with im- 
mense pine forests. Here the Ex- Vice Presi- 
dent lay, the first night, by rousing fires, which 
threw a glare over the dismal woods, while his 
ears were saluted with the howl of hungry 
wolves ! In the wilds of Alabama in a small 
tent, reposed this august personage ; having no 
one to converse with; surrounded by a guard ; 
a prisoner of the United States, for whose lib- 
erties he had fought ; whose government he 
had helped to form ; exiled from New York 
whose statutes and institutions bore the im- 
press of his great mind ; deprived by death 
of his splendid wife; his only child then on the 
distant coast of Carolina; his professional per- 
suits abandoned and his fortune swept from 
him; the magnificent scheme of the conquest 
of Mexico uprooted and the fragments 
dispersed; slandered and hunted down 
from one end of the Union to the other — all 
these things were sufficient to weigh down an 
ordinary being and sink him to an untimely 
grave. Col. Burr, however, was no common 
man. In the morning he rose cheerfully and 
pursued his journey. Although guarded with 
vigilance, his few wants were gratified as far 
as they could be, and he was treated with re- 
spect and kindness. The trail being narrow, 
as are all Indian highways, Burr rode in the 
middle, having a part of the guard in front and 
the others behind him, all in single file. The 
route lay about eight miles south of the present 



10 



city of Montgomery,then an Indian town call- 
ed Econcharte, meaning Red Ground In 181 i 
General Wade Hampton cut out the "Federal 
road" along this trail, which was well known 
to early settlers as the only highway in South 
Alabama. The guard passed by the site of the 
present Mount Meigs and stopped at the house 
of "old Milley," the former wife of a British sol- 
dier who, witli her husband, in 1770, left the 
barracks at Savannah & come to the creek na- 
tion. She had long been a resident of ihese 
wild woods, now lying in the county of Mont- 
gomery. Her husband at this time, a colored 
man named Evans, was employed by Perkins 
to pilot the party across the dangerous creeks, 
Line, Cubahatchee and Calebee, all of which 
they had to swim. It was a perilous and fa- 
tiguing march, and for days the rain decended 
in chilling torrents upon these unsheltered 
horsemen, collecting in rivulets and svviming 
them at every point. Hundreds of Indians 
thronged the trail and in a moment the party 
could have been shot down; but the fearless 
Perkins bore on his distinguished prisoner a- 
mid angry elements and human foes. In their 
journey through^Alabama, they always slept in 
the woods, near swamps of reed, upon which 
the belled and hobbled horses fed during the 
night. After a hastily prepared breakfast, it 
was their custom, again, to remount and march 
on in gloomy silencr, which was sometimes bro- 
ken by a remark about the weather; the creeks, 
or the horses. Col. Burr was a splendid ri- 
der, sitting firmly in the saddle, and always 
on the alert. He was also a hardy traveler. 
Altho' wet for hours with a cold and clammy 
ram, riding forty miles a day, and at night stretch- 
ed upon the bare ground upon a thin pallet, yet 
in the whole distance to Richmond, the impen- 
etrable Aaron Burr was never heard to com- 
plain that he was sick, or even fatigued. At 
the Chattahoochie was a crossing place, owned 
by an Indian named Marshal. The effects of the 
expedition were carried over the river in canoes, 
and the horses swam along side. In this man- 
ner they crossed the Flint and Ocmulgee. Ar- 
riving at Fort Wilkinson, on the Oconee, they 
entered the first ferry boat they had seen on the 
whole route. A lew miles further on they were 
sheltered by the first civilized roof— a house of 
entertainment kept by one, Bevin. While 
breakfast was preparing, and while. the guard 
were seated around a large fire, the host, like 
all publicans on the highway, enquired from 
whence they came. As they were from the 
"Bigbee settlements," he immediately fell upon 
the fruitful theme of the traitor, Aaron Burr. 
He asked if he had been taken, was he not a 
very bad man, and wan't every body afraid oi 
him? Perkins and his party were very much 
annoyed and embarrassed, and made no reply. 
Burr was sitting in a sorner by the fire with 
his head down > he"now raised it, a».d planting 



his fiery eyes upon Bevin. said: "I am Aaron 
Burr, what is it you want with me?" Bevin, 
struck with his" appearance, the keenness ot' 
his look, the solemnity and dignity of his man- 
ner, stood aghast and trembled like a leaf. He 
uttered not another word while the guard re- 
mained at his house. 

When Perkins reached the confines of South 
Carolina, he watched Burr more closely than 
ever. In this State lived Burr's son-in-law, 
Col. Joseph Alston, a man of talents, wealth 
and influence, and afterwards the Governor of 
the State. Perkins, upon reaching the frontier 
of Georgia, endeavored to convey the prisoner 
in bye-roads, and to avoid the towns, lest he 
should be rescued. The plan was attended 
with difficulty — they were lost often, the march 
impeded and the liighway was again resumed. 
Just betore entering the town of Chester Court 
House, in South Carolina, the party halted. 
Two men were placed before Burr, two on eith- 
er side, and two behind, and in this manner 
they passed near a tavern in the street, where 
many persons were standing, while music and 
dancing was heard in the house. Seeing the 
assembly of men so near him, Col. Burr sud- 
denly dismounted, and exclaimed in a loud 
voice, ci I am Aaron Burr, under military 

ARREST, AND CLAIM THE PROTECTION OF THE 

civil authorities !" Perkins immediately dis- 
mounted with several of the guard, and order- 
ed him to remount. Burr said, " I will not." 
Not wishing to shoot him, Perkins threw down 
his pistols, and being a man of prodigious 
strength, and the prisoner a small man, seized 
him round the waist and placed him in his sad- 
dle as though he were a child. Thomas Ma- 
lone seized the reins of the horse, slipped them 
over his head and led Burr rapidly on. The 
astonished citizens of Chester Court House 
had seen a party enter with a prisoner, had 
heard him appeal to them for protection, had 
seen him forced on his horse again, and the 
party vanish before they had time to recover 
from their confusion: for when Burr got down 
from his horse, the guard generally cocked 
their pistols and the people ran in the piazza to 
get out of danger. This feat proves that Per- 
kins was well fitted for the difficult task Lieu- 
tenant Gaines had assigned him. 

Burr was still, to some extent, popular in 
South Carolina, and any wavering or timidity 
on the part of Perkins would have lost him his 
prisoner ; but the celerity of his movements 
gave no time for the people to reflect, before 
he was far ofT in the outskirts of the village. — 
He.e the guard halted ; Col. Burr was in a 
high state of excitement — he was in tears! 
The kind-hearted Malone also wept at seeing 
the low condition to which this great man was 
brought. It was the first time any one had 
ever seen Aaron Burr unmanned. The bold 
attempt to escape, its failure, and the treatment 



11 



he received, produced these sudden emotions. ■ 
The guard were very much alarmed tor fear 
Burr would bo rescued in South Carolina. — 
Malone and Henry advised the purchase of a 
carriage. The former took charge of the guard 
and proceeded on. while Perkins returned to 
the village and purchased a gig. The next day 
Burr was placed in this vehicle and was driven 
without further incident to Fredericksburg, Va. 
Here dispatches from President Jefferson re- 
quired Perkins to convey the prisoner to Rich- 
mond. The guard took the stage and soon 
reached that place. The ladies of Richmond 
vied with each other in contributing to the corn- 
torts of Col. Burr. Some sent him fruit, some 
■clothes, some wine, some one thing and some 
another. Perkins and his men went to Wash- 
ington, were paid for their services and return- 
ed to Alabama by way of Tennessee. 

Col. Burr arrived at Richmond, on the 26th 
March, 1807. For the want of testimony he 
was net placed on trial for "treason" until the 
27th August. On the 1st September the jury 
l-eturned a verdict of "not guilty." While at 
Richmond he was entertained in good style, at 
the Hotel a portion of the time. On the 30th 
•June, however, he was committed to thePene- 
tentiary, where he was furnished with three 
good rooms in the third story, making an ex- 
tent of one hundred feet. Here many dstin- 
guished friends paid him their respects, at, d his 
daughter, Mrs. Alston, and her son, lived with 
him. Thus were the only members remaining, 
-of this eventful family, in prison together. On 
the 9th September a jury was empanelled to try 
Col. Burr, far "misdemeanor," and on the 15th 
Mr. Hay. the District Attorney, not being able to 
make out the case for the United States, moved 
that the Jury be discharged. The prisoner ob- 
jecting, and insisting on a verdict, the Court re- 
fused to discharge the Jury, and after a short 
absence, they returned with a verdict of acquit- 
tal. Thus ended the most expensive and ex- 
traordinary trial known to the country. 

The feeling against Col. Burr, on account of 
the killing of Hamilton, rendered his home an 
unsuitable place to reside, and he determined to 
travel in Europe, until time should allay the pre- 
judices of men. On the 17th June, 1808, Col. 
Burr sailed for England, where he spent much 
t:me, being treated with great distinction. The 
winter of 1809, found him in Edinburg. He 
resided some time in Sweden and Germany and 
went from the latter country to Paris, the 16th 
Febiuary, 1810. Bonaparte, influenced no 
doubt by letters from America, conceived an 



immoveable prejudice against Col. Burr, and for 
along time, refused to grant him passports to 
leave the country. At length in June, 1811, the 
Duke de Bassano, influenced Napoleon to per- 
mit him to leave the Continent, and he arrived 
in New York the 8th June, 1812. Here he be- 
came engaged in his profession, living in digni- 
fied obscurity, if such a position could be assign- 
ed to a man of his notoriety. Having lost his 
wife, his grand son, Aaron Burr Alston, and 
lastly his accomplished daughter, Theodosia, 
who perished upon the Ocean, and over whose 
melancholy fate hangs mystery to this day, Col. 
Burr was, in addition to his persecutions, the 
most bereaved man in the world ! He had 
nothing to live for, yet he lived to the advanced 
age of eighty! On the 11th September, 1836, 
he died without a struggle, on Staten Island, 
New York, whither he had gone for pure air. 
His body, attended by relations and friends, was 
placed on board of a steam-boat, taken to Am- 
boy and from thence to Princeton, where it was 
entombed with military honors, among the 
graves of his ancestors ! 

Note— No one knows where Col. Burr was 
going when arrested by Lieutenant Gaines, but 
from his enquiries of Mrs. Hinsonand the course 
he was pursuing, the strong presumption is that 
he was endeavoring to reach Pensacola, and 
from thence to sail for a foreign country. 

The foregoing historical sketch has been com- 
piled from the best authorities — from Monette's 
History of the Mississippi Valley — Memoirs of 
Aaron Burr, by M. L. Davis — Clarke's proofs 
of the corruption of Wilkinson — Memoirs of 
Wilkinson, by himself — Familiar Letters on 
Public characters, and the various American 
State papers. 

The facts which relate more immediately to 
Alabama, I have derived from the lips of Mr. 
George S. Gaines, of Mobile, one of the purest 
and best men in the State, from Mr. Thomas 
Malone, a venerable and highly respectable cit- 
izen of Mobile county, who was one of Burr's 
guards, as related. I also made notes from con- 
versations with Mrs.^Sturdevant, formally Mrs. 
Hinson, at whose house Burr stopped all night, 
and from Mrs. Houze, both ladies of great res- 
pectability, now residing in Mobile. I have en- 
deavoured to present Aaron Burr to the coun- 
try as he was at that day, free from prejudice 
on my part. I believe the sketch to be a correct 
one ill all respects, 

A. J. PICKETT. 



H 257 79 . i 













'oK 




^o 1 

















v»o* 



"by 



^ *. 






r ^ 



^ *o, -» . > * A <* *^7vT 4 g* ^> 




^o< 




o V 







^o^ 







"oV c 



A v / 



*°^. V 



*~ *■ 










'•♦ "*b. 




> ^ 




^0* 










^o* .am©*- "ov* 








F . t • o . y 




c° yj^ 









'bK 




^o* 



* ^ "-' 



>* 




^CT 



















^ c >- 











^0 .v^ " o V 




ip^. JULY 79 



N. MANCHESTER, 
INDIANA 4fiQfi? 








»°V A 




l v . ' • 



*v fc * 






